Why We Need Faith

• Faith is the realization and confidence of things hoped for. Heb 1:1
• What is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23
• Faith is needed to please God. Heb 11:6
• Faith heals. Jam 5:15
• Faith strengthens prayers. Jam 1:56
• Faith saves.  Eph 2:8
• We receive the Holy Spirit by faith. Gal 3:2
• Faith overcomes the world. IJo 5:4
• Faith is needed for the Gospel to profit. Heb 4:2
• Faith is needed to live. Rom 1:17
• Faith is what Jesus is looking for. Luk 18:8
• We need faith because otherwise works are dead. Jam 2:14
• We need faith because it gives us the power to be made righteous. Rom 5:1
• Faith is required for prayers to be answered. Mat 21:22 

8 Reasons Why You Should Not Worry

1.   Life is more than food (Matthew 6:25).

2.   The body is more than clothing (Matthew 6:25).

3.   Human beings are greater than materials (Matthew 6:25).

4.   People are more important than birds whom God feeds without their labor (Matthew 6:26).

5.   Worry cannot change the body (Matthew 6:27).

6.   People are better than plants that do not worry about clothing (Matthew 6:28-30).

7.   God's providence is over all creation, not just birds and plants that never buy, sell, manufacture, or labor (Matthew 6:26-32).

8.   Worry is useless and sinful and must not be tolerated (Matthew 6:33-34).

How to wait on God

1.   Prayerfully (Psalm 25:4-5)

2.   Patiently (Psalm 37:7; Psalm 145:15)

3.   Single-mindedly (Psalm 62:5)

4.   Expectantly (Psalm 62:5-6; Psalm 123:2; Micah 7:7)

5.   Longingly (Psalm 130:5-6)

6.   Quietly (Lament. 3:26)

7.   Continually (Hosea 12:6)

God commands us to have faith:

JOH 14:1     Believe in God believe also in Me. 

MAR 11:22  Have faith in God.

JOH 20:27   Be not faithless but believing.

1TI 6:12       Fight the good fight of faith.

2CO 5:7       Live by faith not by sight.    

ROM 1:17    The just will live by faith (3 times in NT).

GAL 2:20     Live by the faith of the Son of God.

HEB 11:6     Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek him.

17 Better things in Proverbs

1.   Wisdom is better than gold (Proverbs 3:14; 8:19).

2.   Wisdom is better than silver (Proverbs 3:14; 8:19).

3.   Wisdom is better than rubies (Proverbs 3:15; 8:11).

4.   A despised man is better than one who honors himself (Proverbs 12:9).

5.   A little with the fear of God is better than treasures with trouble (Proverbs 15:16).

6.   A dinner of herbs with love is better than a feast where hatred is (Proverbs 15:17).

7.   A man slow to anger is better than a hot tempered mighty man (Proverbs 16:32).

8.   A man who rules his spirit is better than an intemperate hero (Proverbs 16:32).

9.   A morsel of bread with quietness is better than a feast with strife (Proverbs 17:1).

10. An honest poor man is better than a fool with perverse lips (Proverbs 19:1).

11. A poor man is better than a liar (Proverbs 19:22).

12. It is better to dwell alone in a small place than in a large one with a brawling woman (Proverbs 21:9; 25:24).

13. It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with an angry and contentious woman (Proverbs 21:19). And Proverbs 19:13 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

14. It is better to be exalted than to be abased before men (Proverbs 25:7).

15. Open correction is better than secret love (Proverbs 27:5).

16. A near neighbor is better than a far-off brother (Proverbs 27:10).

17. A righteous poor man is better than a wicked rich man (Proverbs 28:6).

16 Jehovah Titles

1. Jehovah-Elohiym - the Eternal Creator (Genesis 2:4-25)
2. Adonai-Jehovah - the Lord our Sovereign; Master Jehovah (Genesis 15:2,8)
3. Jehovah-Jireh - the Lord will see or provide (Genesis 22:8-14)
4. Jehovah-Nissi - the Lord our banner (Exodus 17:15)
5. Jehovah-Rapha - the Lord our healer (Exodus 15:26)
6. Jehovah-Shalom - the Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)
7. Jehovah-Tsidqenuw - the Lord our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 33:16)
8. Jehovah-Mekaddishkem - the Lord our sanctifier (Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8; 21:8; 22:9,16,32; Ezekiel 20:12)
9. Jehovah-Sabaoth - the Lord of hosts (1 Samuel 1:3; etc., 284 times)
10. Jehovah-Shammah - the Lord is present (Ezekiel 48:35)
11. Jehovah-Elyown - the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 97:9)
12. Jehovah-Rohi - the Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
13. Jehovah-Hoseenu - the Lord our Maker (Psalm 95:6)
14. Jehovah-Eloheenu - the Lord our God (Psalm 99:5,8,9)
15. Jehovah-Eloheka - the Lord thy God (Exodus 20:2,5,7)
16. Jehovah-Elohay - the Lord my God (Zechariah 14:5)

14 blessings from waiting on God...

1.   Salvation (Genesis 49:18; Psalm 62:1)

2.   Daily necessities (Psalm 104:27-28; Psalm 145:14-15)

3.   Instruction (Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 106:13)

4.   Answers to prayer (Psalm 25:21; Psalm 40:1-3)

5.   Courage (Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:24)

6.   Protection and help (Psalm 33:18-22)

7.   Inheritance (Psalm 37:7-9,34)

8.   Hope (Psalm 130:5-6)

9.   Justice (Isaiah 26:8-9; Isaiah 30:18)

10. Renewed strength (Isaiah 40:31)

11. Blessings (Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 64:4)

12. Boldness (Isaiah 49:23)

13. Goodness of God (Lament. 3:25)

14. Holy Spirit power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8)

Your faith must be:

1.      Personal (MAT 9:29).

2.      Seen (MAT 9:2, MAR 2:5)

3.      Heard (PHM 5, EPH 1:15, COL 1:4)

4.      Obeyed (ACT 6:7, ROM 1:5)

5.      Continued in (ACT 14:22, COL 1:23)

6.      Increased (2CO 10:15)

7.      Perfected (1TH 3:10)

8.      Followed (2TI 2:22)

9.      Made sound (TIT 1:13, 2:2)

10.   Examined (2CO 13:5)

11.   Tried or Tested (JAM 1:3, 1PE 1:7, 5:9)

12.   Kept (2TI 4:7)

13.   Lived in (ROM 1:17)

14.   Died in (HEB 11:13)

Seven ways God visits us:

1. Coming Himself (Dan 7:9-14)

2. Sending Christ (Isa 48:16; Joh 3:16)

3. The Holy Spirit (Joh 16:7)

4. Angels (Heb 1:14)

5. Prophets (Act 3:21; Heb 1:1)

6. Dreams and visions (Dan 2:28; 4:1-7; 7:1; 8:1)

7. His Word (2Ti 3:16; Heb 4:12)

God commands all to have faith

JOH 14:1     Believe in God believe also in Me. 

MAR 11:22  Have faith in God.

JOH 20:27   Be not faithless but believing.

1TI 6:12       Fight the good fight of faith.

2CO 5:7       Live by faith not by sight.    

ROM 1:17    The just will live by faith (3 times in NT).

GAL 2:20     The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.

Prayer positions

1.      Standing (LUK 18:13).

2.      Sitting (ACT 1:14; 2:2).

3.      Lying down (2SA 12:16-20).

4.      Prostrated (MAT 26:39).

5.      Kneeling (DAN 6:10; LUK 22:41; ACT 20:36; 21:5).

6.      Bowing (GEN 18:2-3; EXO 34:8-9).

7.      Looking up to heaven (MAT 14:19; JOH 11:39; JOH 17).

8.      Lifting up holy hands (1TI 4:8; 1KI 8:54; PSA 141:2).

9.      With the laying on of hands (ACT 6:6).

God promises to answer prayer

What man says about answered prayer:
PSA 86:7    In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
PSA 102:2  In the day when I call answer me speedily. 
PSA 118:5  I called on the Lord in distress and the Lord answered me.

God promises to answer your prayers:
PSA 91:15  Call on Me and I will answer.
ISA 65:24    Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
MAT 21:22  All things whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.
MAR 11:24  What things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

How to ask God and get answers

• Prayerfully: MAT 21:22 Ask in prayer.

• Persistently: Ask with persistence and don't let anything or anyone stop you. LUK 18:1-8 Pray always and do not give up.

• In Jesus’ Name: JOH 16:26 Ask in My Name and I will pray to the Father for you.

• In faith: JAM 1:6-7 Ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

• In unity: MAT 18:19 If two of you will agree on earth as touching any thing that they will ask, it will be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

God will not answer prayer:

• When we ask with wrong motives (JAM 4:3).
• When we have pride (MAT 6:5; 2CH 7:14).
• When we pray with useless repetition (MAT 6:7; ISA 1:15).
• When sin is not confessed (JER 5:25; ISA 59:2; PSA 66:12).
• When we do not have faith (HEB 11:6; MAT 21:22).
• When we are double-minded (JAM 1:6-8).
• When we neglect the poor (PRO 21:3; 28:27).
• When we do not pray is Jesus’ Name (JOH 14:6; 16:23).
• When we depend on man alone (2CH 16:12-13; 1SA 7-18; JER 17:5-7).
• When we do not forgive others (MAR 11:25-26).
• When we backslide (2CH 15:2; 24:20).
• When we reject Him or His Word (PRO 1:28-31; 28:9).
• When relationships are not right (1PE 3:7; MAT 5:23-24).
• When we do not ask in prayer (JAM 4:2; 1JO 5:14-15).

ASK (ask, seek & knock) for results:

Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

• Asking indicates that something is lacking.
• Seeking indicates that something is missing or lost. 
• Knocking indicates that something is closed, inaccessible, and urgent.

Matthew 7:8  For everyone (that's you) who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

How to receive answers to your prayers:

1.      Ask God: If you never ask, you will never receive!:  JAM 4:2 You have not, because you ask not. Thank God He doesn’t give you everything you ask for!

2.      Obey God: 1JO 3:22 Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

3.      Know His will: 1JO 5:14  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

4.      Live in His Word: JOH 15:7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will, and it will be done for you.

Why ask God for anything if He already knows what U need? (Mat 6:8)

You are to ask God in prayer for the following reasons: 

1. To exercise and develop personal faith in God (Mar 11:22-24)

2. To prove God's promises true: 2Co 1:20  All the promises of God in him are yes and amen to the glory of God by us.

3. To bring glory to God: Joh 14:13  Ask in my Name....that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

4. To show you depend on the Lord, not yourself or man: Psa 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

5. To demonstrate God's ability to provide for you: Phi 4:19 My God shall supply all your need.

6. To show God’s goodness to all men: Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. Rom 2:4 Goodness of God leads you to repentance.

7. To bring fullness of joy: Joh 16:24  Ask and receive that your joy may be full.

Where can I pray?

1.      Privately (MAR 1:35; MAT 6:6)

2.      Publicly (JOH 11:41-42)

3.      Alone (LUK 9:18)

4.      On mountains (MAT 14:23)

5.      In homes (ACT 12:12)

6.      In God's house (EZR 10:1)

7.      Everywhere (1TI 2:8)

What is prayer?

Prayer is communion (share ones thoughts, feelings, ideas & needs) with God. 
Prayer is asking and receiving from God (MAT 21:22), requesting or petitioning verbally the things you need that are promised by God in His Word (JOH 15:7; 1JO 5:14-15).
The Bible teaches us everything we need to know about prayer.

Who can I pray for?

1.      Friends (JOB 42:10)

2.      People (NUM 21:7)

3.      One another (JAM 5:16)

4.      Church leaders (1TH 5:25)

5.      Judgment on enemies (2KI 6:18)

6.      Deliverance from enemies (2KI 19:15-37)

7.      Those who curse you, despitefully use you, and persecute you (MAT 5:44)

8.      Ordination of ministers (ACT 6:6; 14:23)

How should I pray?

1.      In Jesus' Name (JOH 16:26; 14:6)

2.      In agreement (MAT 18:9)

3.      In righteousness (JAM 5:16)

4.      With faith (MAT 21:22; JAM 1:5-8; 5:15)

5.      With a forgiving attitude (MAR 11:25-26)

6.      With tears (1SA 1:10; 2CH 32:20; HEB 5:7)

7.      With thanksgiving (DAN 6:10; PHI 4:6)

8.      With confession (DAN 9:4)

9.      With humility (LUK 18:10-14)

10.   With praise (ACT 16:25)

11.   With the Holy Spirit (1CO 14:15; ROM 8:26; JUD 1:20)

12.   With fasting (MAT 17:21; ACT 10:30; 13:3; 14:23; NEH 1:4)

13.   Fervently (zealously) (JAM 5:16)

14.   Earnestly (with determination) (JAM 5:17)

15.   Continuously (ROM 12:12)

16.   Persistently (LUK 11:5-13; 18:1-8) 

17.   And more than once!  Jesus prayed twice for a blind man to be healed and three times for His Father's will to be done (MAR 8:22-25; MAT 26:44).  Men ought always to pray, and not to faint (LUK 18:1).

What can I pray for?

1.      Needs and wants (MAT 6:8; PSA 34:9-10)

2.      Good things (MAT 7:7-11)

3.      God's help (2CH 20:4)

4.      Healing (GEN 20:17; JAM 5:16; ACT 4:30; 28:8)

5.      Miracles (ACT 4:30)

6.      Bodily resurrection (2KI 6:17; ACT 9:40)

7.      Help when afflicted (JON 2:2)

8.      Unfailing faith (LUK 22:32)

9.      God's will in your life and not your own (LUK 22:41-42)

10.   God's help in decision making (ACT 1:24)

11.   Boldness (ACT 4:29)

12.   Rain (JAM 5:18)

13.   Wisdom (JAM 1:5-8)

14.   God’s ways (EXO 33:13)

15.   Forgiveness (EXO 24:9; 1SA 15:25)

16.   Verification (or confirmation) of God's Word (1KI 8:26)

17.   Baptism of the Holy Ghost (ACT 8:15)

18.   Double portion of God's Spirit (2KI 2:9)

19.   Spiritual vision (2KI 6:17)

20.   When near death (2CH 32:24)

21.   Help in time of war (JER 21:2)

22.   And for help when distressed (LAM 1:20)

23.   Prosperity (NEH 1:11)

24.   Mercy (NEH 1:11)

25.   Whatsoever (anything) (JOH 14:13)

26.   Desires (MAR 11:24)

27.   Petitions (1JO 5:15)

28.   Requests (PHI 4:6)

29.   Unity (JOH 17:11)

How often should you pray?

1.      Morning (PSA 5:2-3; MAR 1:35)

2.      Night (LUK 6:12)

3.      Night and day (LUK 2:37)

4.      Daily (MAT 6:9-11)

5.      Midnight (ACT 16:25)

6.      Twice daily (PSA 88:1; NEH 1:6)

7.      Three times a day (PSA 55:17; DAN 6:10; MAT 26:44)

8.      Without ceasing (1TH 5:17)

9.      Always (LUK 18:1; ACT 10:22; EPH 6:18)

Why Pray? The Main purpose of prayer is to...

1.      Glorify God (JOH 14:13-15; EPH 3:20)

2.      Show dependence on God instead of oneself (PHI 4:19)

3.      Bring answers to those who believe (MAT 21:22)

4.      Fill those who receive with joy (JOH 16:24)

5.      Develop personal faith in God (HEB 11:6)

6.      Prove God's promises true (2CO 1:20)

7.      Prove to all men God's faithfulness to answer (PRO 15:29; PSA 34:15)

God visits us by...

1. Coming Himself (Dan 7:9-14)

2. Sending Christ (Isa 48:16; Joh 3:16)

3. The Holy Spirit (Joh 16:7)

4. Angels (Heb 1:14)

5. Prophets (Act 3:21; Heb 1:1)

6. Dreams and visions (Dan 2:28; 4:1-7; 7:1; 8:1)

7. His Word (2Ti 3:16; Heb 4:12)

10 Ways to Cure Worry

1.   Permit the peace of God to keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:7).

2.   Renounce all worry; then by prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, make all requests known to God (Phil. 4:6; James 4:7).

3.   Think on right things (Phil. 4:8).

4.   Keep your mind stayed on God (Isaiah 26:3).

5.   Use the weapons of spiritual warfare (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

6.   Put on the whole armor of God (Ephes. 6:10-18).

7.   Have faith in God (Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:22-24).

8.   Live and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 6:14-23; Romans 8:1-13).

9.   Do not loose confidence (Hebrews 3:6,12-14; Hebrews 6:11-12; Hebrews 10:19-23,35-39).

10. Cast all your cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7).

What R U sowing?

1. Am I a hypocrite in word and deed?
2. Am I honest when I speak, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I tell others what was told to me in private?
4. Do I feel sorry for myself?
5. Do I make silly excuses when I am wrong?
6. Do I blame others for my sins and mistakes?
7. Do I use lies to cover my sins and mistakes?
8. Do I behave well when I am corrected by others?
9. Do I have self-control or do whatever I like whenever I like?
10. Am I a slave to friends or habits?
11. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
12. Am I angry, jealous, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
13. Am I proud, selfish, or lazy?
14. Do I spend more time on my outward appearance than keeping my heart right?
15. Do I focus my attention on material things and pleasure?
16. Do I waste time? 
17. Do I grumble or complain?
18. Do I keep a good attitude?
19. Do I try to avoid work and my responsibilities?
20. Do I faithfully keep my promises or break promises?
21. Do I gladly and whole-heartedly obey and serve those who have authority over me?
22. Do I co-operate and help others?
23. Do I show my love and respect for others by my good behavior?
24. Do I work hard and do my very best at everything I do?
25. Do I finish something once I start it?
26. Can I be trusted?
27. Do I have to be asked more than once to do something?
28. Can other people depend on me?
29. Do I pray daily?
30. Do I read the Bible daily?
31. Do I live according to the Bible daily?
32. Am I happy?
33. Do I make others happy?
34. Do I sin in thought, word, or deed?
35. Am I a good witness for Jesus Christ?
36. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith in Jesus?
37. Is Jesus Christ real to me?
38. Do I lead others to Jesus Christ?
39. Do I show the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
40. Do I resist sin or embrace sin?
41. Do I really believe I am saved?

GAL 6:7  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The Bible, God’s Word is:

1.   A hammer to convict (JER 23:29).

2.   A fire to refine (JER 23:29).

3.   A mirror to reflect (JAM 1:23).

4.   Seed to multiply (LUK 8:11; 1PE 1:23).

5.   Water to cleanse (EPH 5:26).

6.   A lamp to guide (PSA 119:105).

7.   Rain & snow to refresh (ISA 55:10).

8.   A sword to cut (HEB 4:12; EPH 6:19).

9.   A bow for revenge (HAB 3:9).

10.  Gold to enrich (PSA 19:7-10).

11.  Power that creates faith (ROM 10:17).

12.  Milk for babes (1PE 2:2).

13.  Bread for the hungry (MAT 4:4).

14.  Meat for men (HEB 5:11-14).

15.  Honey for desert (PSA 19:11).

16.  Pure (PSA 119:140; PRO 30:5).

17.  Not bound (2TI 2:9).

18.  Healing for all (PSA 107:20).

19.  Strength for the weak (PSA 119:28).

20.  Comfort for the afflicted (PSA 119:50+76+81).

21.  Hope for the hopeless (PSA 119:74).

22.  Joy for sorrowful (PSA 119:162)

23.  Everlasting (PSA 119:89; ISA 40:8; 1PE 1:23-25).

God has anointed you to...

1.      Preach (proclaim; announce) the Gospel (Good News) to the poor (Luke 4:18)

2.      Heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18)

3.      Deliver those held captive (Luke 4:18)

4.      Restore sight to those physically & spiritually blind (Luke 4:18)

5.      Liberate those who are bruised (Luke 4:18)

6.      Proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord – Today!  (Luke 4:19)